Getting Started with Wing Foiling

If you’re just getting started with wing foiling, one of the first things you should learn is how to handle the wing correctly.

At first glance, it looks incredibly simple. You just hold the wing in your hands and let the wind do the work.

But as soon as you hold a wing yourself for the first time, you quickly realize that there is actually quite a bit to understand.

How do I set up the wing correctly? How do I turn it over when it’s lying upside down in front of me? Which hand controls the power? And how do I keep the wing stable while getting up on the board?

These are all basic skills, but learning them correctly from the beginning will make your first sessions on the water much easier.

That’s why, for this first lesson, I recommend spending plenty of time on the beach with your wing and getting familiar with this “new flying object” before even heading out onto the water.

Setting Up the Wing Correctly

Before you lay your wing out on the beach, there is one important thing you should figure out first: Where is the wind coming from?

Just like in kitesurfing and windsurfing, you will normally position yourself with your back to the wind.

There’s a simple trick to find the wind direction.

Close your eyes and slowly turn your head from one side to the other. As soon as you can hear the wind at roughly the same intensity in both ears, you are looking directly into the wind.

Since you should always unroll and set up the wing with the front tube facing into the wind, this gives you an easy reference point.

When you take the wing out of its bag and place the bag on the beach, I also recommend putting a handful of sand on top of it. This prevents the bag from blowing away when the wind picks up.

Inflating the Wing

First, lay the wing out completely with the front tube facing into the wind.

In the center of the wing, you’ll find the attachment point for the safety leash. This is also where you can attach the pump leash.

To do this, place the pump in front of the wing, stand on the pump, and attach the pump leash to the corresponding attachment point.

With very little wind, this might seem unnecessary. But as soon as the wind picks up, the wing can quickly start moving on its own.

Valves and Air Pressure

Depending on the wing model, there may be either one or two valves.

The Halo Pro 2 has two separate valves, allowing the center strut and front tube to be inflated independently.

This gives you better control over the air pressure in the different parts of the wing.

Other wings may only have one valve, so the exact setup can vary depending on the model.

For the Halo Pro 2, I recommend an air pressure of around 8 PSI. The recommended range is approximately 7–8 PSI.

I like to use the upper end of the recommended range, as this makes the wing a little stiffer and more stable.

Now it’s time to pump until the pressure gauge reaches 8 PSI.

Choosing the Right Safety Leash

There are two basic options: a leash that attaches around your hip or waist, and a wrist leash.

I prefer using the hip leash because it gives both hands more freedom of movement.

The safety leash is particularly important because a wing can drift away very quickly once it’s in the water. Even in relatively moderate wind, it can already be difficult to catch up with it.

How to Turn the Wing Over

This first exercise might seem very simple, but once you’re actually on the water, it will make your life much easier.

Whenever you crash or start a new session, there’s a very good chance that the wing will be lying upside down in front of you in the water.

When you’re kneeling on the board or swimming, you have very little space between your hands and the water surface. This can make it difficult to turn the wing over.

The key point is: Turn the wing over the wing tips.

Instead of trying to grab the wing in the middle and turn it over, move towards one of the wing tips.

Grab the front part of the wing, turn it over the tip, and then move back towards the front tube.

This will bring the wing back into the correct position.

The Role of Your Hands

Your front hand positions the wing. Your back hand controls the power.

This simple distinction makes wing control much easier to understand.

For example, if you want to ride to the left, start by holding the wing with your back hand on the center handle and use your front hand to grab the front part of the boom.

Then move your back hand to the rear part of the boom. Now you can use your back hand to power up and depower the wing, while your front hand controls the position of the wing in front of you.

A very common mistake among beginners is trying to control the power with both hands at the same time.

Instead, it’s better to give each hand a different job:

Your front hand is responsible for positioning the wing.
Your back hand is responsible for powering up and depowering the wing.

This also means that you can let go of your back hand whenever you don’t need it.

However, as soon as you let go with your front hand, the wing will most likely get ripped out of your hands.

Once you understand this principle, controlling the wing becomes much more intuitive.

The Key Basics at a Glance

The individual movements may seem very simple, but they are the foundation for everything that comes later in wing foiling.

Before you start focusing on the board, you should be comfortable with the following:

• Determining the wind direction

• Setting up the wing correctly

• Turning the wing over the wing tips

• Positioning the wing with your front hand

• Powering up and depowering the wing with your back hand

The more time you spend practicing these movements on the beach, the less you’ll have to think about them once you’re on the water.

This allows you to focus much more on your board and, later on, on the foil.